Getting Fuel

Deweybeachbum · Post by **Deweybeachbum** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:06 pm

So I thought I'd start a new thread about getting fuel, so id thought id ask a few questions.
1. What model scooter you own
2. What grade fuel you use,
3. how do you decide when the tank is full? do you let the auto-shutoff do its job or do you put as much fuel as possible in the tank.

My reasoning for asking is because i just started using fuelly to track my MPG's and wanted to try to get a consistent full tank each and every time. Thanks for everyones input.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:23 pm

I can't speak for other scoots, but the auto-stop on gas pumps does not work with my Helix. (BTW - I always use plain-old regular.) So I use an internal bar in the neck of the filler as my "full" mark.

If you fill by eye, the only way to get a true MPG figure is to average over time (which is what's great about Fuelly). For example, my last fill-up at 127 miles was 2.05 gallons, yielding 62 MPG. If it had been 2 gallons even, then the MPG would have been 63.5. And it's damned near impossible to see a .05 gallon difference when filling by eye.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:27 pm

On the Buddy fuel tank, there's a metal collar about 1.5" below the top of the filler. This collar has a center large hole to accomodate the fuel nozzle and a couple of smaller holes. I try to blip in gas until the fuel level reaches this collar and I get a 'meniscus': that lens-shaped bubble in the smaller holes. This is about as consistent a fill-up as I can get.

Above this collar and below the cap, there are hoses and such for vapor that lead to the emissions-control canister. If you overfill, meaning above the collar right up to the cap, gas is going to get down into the emissions gear, and you might encounter hard starting. Stick with that collar and you'll avoid problems.

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 8:53 pm

PeteH wrote:On the Buddy fuel tank, there's a metal collar about 1.5" below the top of the filler. This collar has a center large hole to accomodate the fuel nozzle and a couple of smaller holes. I try to blip in gas until the fuel level reaches this collar and I get a 'meniscus': that lens-shaped bubble in the smaller holes. This is about as consistent a fill-up as I can get.

Above this collar and below the cap, there are hoses and such for vapor that lead to the emissions-control canister. If you overfill, meaning above the collar right up to the cap, gas is going to get down into the emissions gear, and you might encounter hard starting. Stick with that collar and you'll avoid problems.

I'll second the above as far as filling above the center hole is concerned. The only thing that I can add to it is that most of my neighborhood gas stations have an auto shut-off feature that doesn't work with a small fuel tank as it shuts off far too early. I have to pull back the collapsible rubber collar around the nozzle with one hand and squeeze the trigger with the other hand to fool it into thinking that it's deeper into the tank. It's clumsy at best. I now go out of my way trying to find stations with older nozzles.

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250i Aprilia Sport City

Deweybeachbum · Post by **Deweybeachbum** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:25 pm

PeteH wrote:On the Buddy fuel tank, there's a metal collar about 1.5" below the top of the filler. This collar has a center large hole to accomodate the fuel nozzle and a couple of smaller holes. I try to blip in gas until the fuel level reaches this collar and I get a 'meniscus': that lens-shaped bubble in the smaller holes. This is about as consistent a fill-up as I can get.

Above this collar and below the cap, there are hoses and such for vapor that lead to the emissions-control canister. If you overfill, meaning above the collar right up to the cap, gas is going to get down into the emissions gear, and you might encounter hard starting. Stick with that collar and you'll avoid problems.

I also do the same, i try to get dead even with the ring each and every time.